Passerilepis, Spasskii & Spasskaya, 1954

Mariaux, Jean & Georgiev, Boyko B., 2018, Seven new species of cestode parasites (Neodermata, Platyhelminthes) from Australian birds, European Journal of Taxonomy 440, pp. 1-42 : 28-29

Passerilepis (?) sp.

Fig. 40

Material examined

AUSTRALIA: Victoria, Kangaroo Grounds, 37°42′ S, 145°12′ E, 1979, Karl Harrigan leg. (AHC 36527).

Host

Corcorax melanorhynchos (Vieillot, 1817) ( Passeriformes , Corcoracidae ).

Intensity

About 6 specimens.

Description

Although several specimens of this species are available, including almost complete ones, just a single squashed scolex is present and the material is highly macerated, thus preventing a full description. Longest fragment 38 mm, maximum width 1.6 mm at level of gravid proglottides. Ten hooks on a single crown, 24–25 long, with short blade, robust guard and slightly curved handle ( Fig. 40 ). Three testes arranged in triangle, 2 antiporal. Cirrus-sac crossing osmoregulatory canals dorsally, about 165– 185 long. Genital openings unilateral, dextral. Both seminal vesicles and seminal receptacles inflating considerably. Uterus initially bisaccular, becoming unisaccular with deep lobes. Oncosphere 45–50. Embryonic hooks 20–22 (lateral), 22–24 (central). These few available characters hint toward the genus Passerilepis Spasskii & Spasskaya, 1954 (Hymenolepididae) .

Figures

Figs 39–41. 39. Dilepididae genus sp. Hooks. 40. Passerilepis sp. Hooks. 41. Cracticotaenia fieldingi (Maplestone & Southwell, 1923) Hooks. Scale bars: 39–41 = 20 µm.